The DRUDGE REPORT has learned from exclusive sources that Democrat Party Chair Howard Dean turned down Republican Party Chair Ken Mehlmans last minute offer to appear together on NBCs MEET THE PRESS this morning.

Moments before taping was to begin with host Tim Russert, Mehlman asked Dean outside the NBC studios green room: Theres still time for us to go on together Governor. Dean declined with a shrug of his shoulders and an uncomfortable cackle and then proceeded to walk away into the green room.

DRUDGE has learned MEET THE PRESS producers have been working to get a head to head Dean/Mehlman appearance on the program since Dean was named chair back in February. Dean and his handlers have repeatedly turned down the request. The former Vermont governor only agreed to do this weeks program if they appeared in back-to-back interviews.

Mehlman brought up Deans unwillingness to appear alongside him during the show: I was hoping that Chairman Dean would be on sitting next to me this morning. Maybe we can do that on a future program. Look, he's somebody I've enjoyed getting to know. We meet in a lot of green rooms .

Tim Russert: We invited him -- do you have a question for him?

Former Dem Party Chair Terry McAuliffe participated in regular head-to-head appearances with his Republican counterparts during his tenure from 01 to 05. McAuliffe went head-to-head with Republican chairmen at least five times on MEET THE PRESS alone, going up against past GOP chairs Ed Gillespie (twice), Marc Racicot (twice) and Jim Gilmore (once).

Sunday's 'Meet the Press' on NBC carried both party chairman's on the Sunday morning political talk show. Late Saturday, it was reported that Howard Dean might actually back off a face to face meeting with Ken Mehlman.

Republican vs. Democrat - face-to-face - what could be better?

Apparently for Howard Dean, a friendly chat with no tough questions from Democrat friendly host Tim Russert. Matt Drudge originally carried the tease (original story here) that Dean might actually cower in the green room while Ken Mehlman did his interview, and Drudge was absolutely correct. No face-to-face battle.

Is it now "Howard the Coward?"

Drudge dishes the inside the green room scoop:

Matt first reports that he has "learned from exclusive sources that Democrat Party Chair Howard Dean turned down Republican Party Chair Ken Mehlmans last minute offer to appear together on NBCs MEET THE PRESS this morning."

It's because Howard doesn't handle well under pressure. I've seen him broadsided, straight-faced, and left speechless more than once on TV during interviews handling tough questions, and these were with relatively softball interviewers such as Chrissy Matthews and Larry King a-Live. He just can't handle it, and he doesn't want to be left looking like an idiot with his Republican counterpart. I don't think Howard is fit to be a politician and looks like he is ready to blow up on screen at any given moment.

"...the strength of our position on defense is not just that we'll support a robust and muscular foreign policy. It is that we'll tell the truth. Telling the truth has a lot to do with defending America. If people don't believe you, 80 percent of people in Jordan, one of our most important allies, don't believe us, than we've got a bigger defense problem than with Zarqawi."

Democrats Demand Truth on National Security:

"I think the Democrats always have to stand up and tell the truth. And that's what we're doing. The truth is that the president misled America when he sent us to war. They did, he even didn't tell the truth in the speech he gave. First of all, I think there were a lot of veterans that were kind of upset that the president chose their day to make a partisan speech. Secondly, the president didn't even tell the truth in his speech. He said the Senate has the same intelligence that everybody else did. That was not true..."

Administration Has "Fundamental Problem" With the Truth:

"Now that the cracks are beginning to appear in this corrupt administration that we have running this country, now they're all running for their own and they're beginning to stand up and say, this is what really happened. Honest Republicans are coming forward in this administration and saying, this is what really happened in the lead up to the war. And the president was not truthful with the American people. And the president is not just not truthful with the American people. I saw Ken on here talking about the deficit. The truth is, they're concealing the size of the deficit as well. Iraq is not on the books. The money they take out of social security is not on the books. This is an administration that has a fundamental problem tell the truth."

Democrats Focused on Americans' Priorities:

"We have an alternative agenda. We've made it very clear. We want a strong national security based on telling the truth to our people at home, our soldiers and our allies. We want jobs in America that will stay in America. And we believe that renewable energy is one of the areas where we can do that. We want a health care system that covers everybody, just like 36 other countries in the world. We want a strong public education system. And most of all, we want honesty back in government. I think that's a pretty good agenda. "...The Republicans want to cut $14 billion out of higher education. We're going to do better than that. And together, America can do better than that."

Democrats Fighting For American Values:

"...we all should speak about our values. I think one of the mistakes we've made is to not understand that most Americans believe that moral values include making sure that kids don't go to bed hungry at night. The Republicans are cutting the school lunch program. We want to make sure that everybody in America has health insurance. That is a moral value. The Republicans are kicking people off their health care. We ought to talk about our values. ...I'm a Democrat because of my moral values. I believe that we can't leave anybody behind. We are the party of America's values."

Alito's Views "Outside the Mainstream":

"Judge Alito is a hard working man, a good family man, but his opinions are well outside the mainstream of American public opinion. He condoned a strip search of a 10 year old when the police had no such warrant or indication to do so. He condoned the crafting of an all white jury to hear a black defendant's case by a prosecutor. He condoned the state's not having to apply to the, not having to listen to the family medical leave act. He condoned government interference in private family matters and family decision making. This is well outside the mainstream of where Americans are. I think the democrats are going to have to think long and hard as the hearings progress, about whether we should support him. There's some grave questions about him."

On the DNC Fundraising:

"We just broke the record, with six weeks to go for fundraising during the off year. And we didn't even have the ability to raise soft money to do it. We have paid operatives in 38 out of 50 states; we'll be in 50 states by the end of the year. We just won two really important gubernatorial elections and managed to deep six all of Governor Schwarzenegger's initiatives in California. I'd say we're having a good year."

----

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

He has to send out PRESS RELEASES because he is a CHICKEN - HOWARD THE COWARD, can't face his critics...

Howard Dean on the Nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court

10/31/2005 12:51:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Karen Finney of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"President Bush shouldn't try to use the nomination of an extreme conservative to distract from the ethical problems his White House is facing. Three days after a top White House official was indicted, President Bush continued his troubling pattern of playing to his right-wing political base in times of political trouble. In an indication of his weakened political position, Bush has nominated Samuel Alito, a conservative activist judge, to replace Justice O'Connor, who has been a voice of moderation on the Court for a generation.

"A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of short-term political gain. President Bush's nomination of Alito is not leadership, it is capitulation.

"Alito's record suggests an activist judicial philosophy bent on rolling back the rights and freedoms that all Americans value. Alito has sought to limit the rights of women and people with disabilities in discrimination cases, demonstrated an open hostility to women's privacy rights even in basic reproductive health matters, has a record of hostility toward immigrants, and tried to immunize employers from employment discrimination cases. It is particularly troubling that President Bush would nominate a judge who would reverse American progress and make the Supreme Court look less like America on the same day that most Americans are honoring the life and legacy of Rosa Parks.

"Now, as Alito goes before the Senate Judiciary Committee, he must demonstrate that he will be a Supreme Court Justice who uses his position on the highest court in the land to protect and advance the fundamental rights and personal freedoms of all Americans. Alito must prove that he is not a captive of the radical right-wing, and the White House must provide the Senate with all the information it needs to thoroughly evaluate Alito's nomination."

---

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Howard Dean: White House and Vice President's Office Should Cooperate With Iraq War Intelligence Investigation

11/2/2005 2:52:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Karen Finney of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today applauded Democratic Leader Harry Reid for forcing the Republicans in the Senate to investigate the misuse of intelligence in the run-up to the war in Iraq. Dean issued the following statement calling on the White House and the Vice President's office to answer questions about their roles in manipulating intelligence to build support for the war, smearing opponents of the war, and covering up that smear campaign:

"Last night, Senator Reid and his Democratic colleagues in the Senate stood up for the American people and for the brave men and women who have fought and died in Iraq by forcing the Republicans to investigate the manipulation of intelligence used to justify the war in Iraq.

"But the pursuit of the truth does not end on Capitol Hill. The Bush Administration must also cooperate with the Senate Intelligence Committee investigation. Americans deserve to know the truth about who in the White House -- and specifically in Vice President Cheney's office -- was involved in manipulating intelligence to build support for the war, engaged in a campaign to discredit those who tried to tell the truth, and orchestrated the effort to cover up that smear campaign. The American people also deserve answers about what role the Vice President himself played in all of this, and why people on his staff who were directly involved were promoted, not fired. It is time for the Vice President to offer candid answers to these questions.

"America deserves better. On the heels of one of the deadliest months in the war, we need to know the truth about how we got into a war that continues to claim the lives of so many of our nation's brave men and women."

---

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

"80 percent of people in Jordan, one of our most important allies, don't believe us, than we've got a bigger defense problem than with Zarqawi"

These are the same people..the Jordanians.. who marched crying Death to Zarqawi, right? One would think that an American would be happy that the Jordanians view Zarqawi as a terrorist as we do...but then Howard is not an American....he's a DUCK, as defined by one who "ducks" debates with Republicans.

"Howard Dean raised $1.77 million through a PAC headed by his brother, Jim Dean"

November 13, 2005

Bayh's fundraising arm is 'fueled up' for potential presidential race

By Maureen Groppe Star Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh is among the most prolific money raisers in the early jockeying among potential 2008 presidential candidates.

Bayh raised $1.17 million this year through a fundraising arm that will help him raise his profile and build a campaign team, according to recent disclosure reports. Some of that money paid for a public speaking consultant whose former clients include Princess Diana.

But even though Bayh collected more through his political action committee (PAC) than New York Sen. Hillary Clinton did through hers, Clinton showed why she is considered the most formidable fundraiser of the potential Democratic candidates, raising $10 million in six months for her 2006 re-election campaign.

Still, Bayh did raise more money than Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., who have had less-active exploratory campaigns.

snip

Former presidential candidate Howard Dean raised $1.77 million through a PAC headed by his brother, Jim Dean. Howard Dean, who has said he will not run in 2008 since becoming chairman of the Democratic National Committee, stepped down as head of his Democracy for America PAC in February.

snip

Bayh spent nearly $500,000 of the money he raised, about two-thirds of it on aides and consultants. That includes $11,375 to Richard Greene, a Beverly Hills speech consultant whose past clients include Princess Diana, race car driver David Coulthard, supermodel Naomi Campbell and top executives of media companies.

Bayh has been criticized for a less-than-exciting speaking style, but at least one political columnist has remarked this year that Bayh seems to have improved in that area. Bayh also spent:

-- $52,500 on a polling firm. -- $51,070 on fundraising consultants.

-- $214,928 on five full-time and three part-time salaried employees, including $9,474 paid to Tom Sugar, chief of staff for Bayh's Senate office.

After salaries and consultants, Bayh's next largest expense was travel. He and his aides spent more than $28,000 on airfare, hotels and other travel expenses.

snip

After Indiana, Bayh received the next largest amount of funds from individuals in New York ($267,000) and California ($168,600).

Bayh's re-election fund has raised $725,004 so far this year, with nearly 60 percent of that coming from large-dollar contributors in California, New York, Maryland and Florida -- his most lucrative states.

The contributors include:

-- Actor Robert Desiderio, known recently for guest appearances on "The Sopranos," $250.

-- S. Daniel Abraham, CEO of Slimfast, $2,100.

-- Harold Ickes, former aide to President Clinton and a campaign adviser to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, $500. (Hillary Clinton's vice-presidential candidate - Evan Byah?)

Clinton, probably the most formidable fundraiser among the potential Democratic candidates, raised $715,851 through her PAC. Most of her fundraising prowess, however, was aimed at her reelection fund.

Kerry collected $563,885, distributing some of that to Democrats in New Hampshire and to federal candidates. Edwards, who has one of the more active travel schedules among the potential 2008 candidates, raised $624,813 and spent most of it.

Feingold raised $192,498 and Biden raised $34,246 through the PACs they started this year.

Former presidential candidate Wesley Clark's PAC raised $151,517.

Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack has raised $635,000 through a different type of political action committee, which has fewer restrictions on fundraising and more on spending.

"He appears to have some sort of disorder."I've seen him on tv numerous times.At times he appears ok,but other times he appears to be right on the edge emotionally,appears very uncomfortable,can't put my finger on it....Manic depression by any chance?

He knows he will snap and make an even bigger fool of himself and of the left wing clan of dimwit traitors that he leads.

I think you have hit upon the primary reason Dean is avoiding unscripted, possibly heated exchanges. While he probably hasn't come to this conclusion on his own, he likely has heard it from those counseling him.

The RNC should keep up the pressure challenging Dean to face-to-face debates with knowledgeable, conservative spokesmen. Eventually, Dean's monstrous ego will force him to agree to a joint appearance. Until then, we can get some mileage out of the "Howard the Coward" angle.

Once cornered in a personal confrontation where the MSM can't cover for him, Dean's arrogant, defensive, and hateful personality will unleash some of most offensive, weird, and politically damaging statements imaginable.

Russert wouldn't have let a Republican get away with making demands on how MTP would be staged, and I bet Russert preferred Mehlman and Dean on separately so he could question them as he did.

With Mehlman, Russert's questions were long speeches, accusatory and heated. They went on and on and on. I'm sure Russert's questions took up twice as much time as Mehlman's responses. Russert viciously grilled Mehlman, but did you notice? Mehlman answered every question, never gave an inch, and never lost his cool.

With Dean, Russert's questions were most often clipped, only one sentence long, and he allowed Dean to filibuster, more often than not, without directly answering.

Russert asked Dean Mehlman's question about Schumer's staffers illegally stealing Steele's identity, but not before he belittled it by saying, "Schumer has already fired the staffers in question".

Mehlman is the Republican's secret weapon. I don't know why he isn't all over television making mincemeat out of the likes of Chris Matthews, Tucker Carlson, Wolf Blitzer, and yes, O'Reilly too.

No, I am forbidden from watching any "news" shows but Fox News because I can't behave. lol! Only kidding. I quit watching them a long time ago except for Fox because I can't stand the double standard. I just find the transcripts or read FreeRepublic to get what happens. THANK YOU ALL for watching so I don't have to!

You're right. That showdown will come one day and he will probably look as if he wants it to get physical. People like Dean are unhinged easily. I'm not even referring to his 'yeeeeaaaaaah' speech, but his loose, fast punk-mouth which deliver more hate, racism and bile than any lib out there, thats why he's their 'leader' (lol) I hope they put pressure on him like you said. Would be great to see that day when they can longer cover for his mental unbalances.

48
posted on 11/13/2005 2:18:13 PM PST
by Cougar66
(If I had ever wanted a woman to be President, I'd have voted for John Kerry or Jimmy Carter)

By the way, does anyone think he is honestly mentally ill? He seems to have some sort of disorder... weird weird weird...

He has a severe case of SMS (short man syndrome) with a touch of impairment in his impulse control mechanism, probably a result of living his entire life in unearned privilege and effortlesss wealth. These disordered characteristics are exacerbated by a backdrop of entrenched leftwing narcissism. It adds up to a particularly virulent and sleazy form of Napoleon complex.

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